The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1296 Zhang Cheng: "You're pretending to be stupid, you're not really stupid!"

In the bustling main hall, young people were raising their glasses in toasts.
Looking at Zhang Cheng beside him, Jia She said cryptically, "The manor has raised less than 300,000 taels of silver. Even if we sell our land, we still can't come up with that much money!"

Looking at Jia She, Zhang Cheng squinted and said, "Uncle She, don't forget, you're pretending to be stupid, not really stupid. If you were really stupid, you should accompany Uncle Jing to the Taoist temple to cultivate immortality!"

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Jia She gritted his teeth and said, "Aren't you afraid of that person if you do this now?"

"You trusted his father back then, and as a result, you almost ruined the Rong and Ning mansions. If I were to do the same as you, the Jia family would truly have no way out!"

When he spoke to Jia She, Zhang Cheng stared at him with a serious expression.
Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia She remained silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, alright, I'll have your second brother Lian go and sell the land right now!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng before him, Jia She clenched his fist, pondered for a moment, and finally released it.

Hearing Jia She say this, Zhang Cheng understood that the other party had realized how terrible it was to go down a dark path!
However, Jia She and Jia Jing, who had once been loyal to the Crown Prince, were unwilling to give up hope!
Even with the slightest chance, they wanted to follow the dragon!
But for Zhang Cheng, this gamble was really too big. After all, the Rong and Ning families had already lost last time. If it weren't for the Emperor Emeritus's sentimentality, Emperor Hongde would have already started to purge the four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises!
One emperor, one set of ministers; each emperor slays his former ministers!

For an emperor, someone who doesn't obey is of no use whatsoever!
Even if they can now rely on the retired emperor to fight against the Hongde Emperor, once the retired emperor is gone, they will all be doomed!

After nightfall, Zhang Cheng had Jia Wei see the guests off, while he chatted with Feng Tang and others in the study.
The profit-sharing arrangements for last year have been finalized. It must be said, monopolies are an extremely profitable industry.
The maritime shipping alone brought twelve million taels of silver to the Liaodong military town!

With such a huge sum of money, let alone the gentry and wealthy merchants of Jiangnan having objections, even if they wanted to rebel, they would have to ask the Liaodong military garrison if their swords could reach Jiangnan!

They toiled away on the frontier all year, earning only a little over 100,000 taels of silver annually.
But now, not only have the profits increased tenfold, but they also no longer have to bear the stigma of exploiting soldiers and selling salt and iron. Who could let this go!
Looking at the roster in his hand, Zhang Cheng said to Feng Tang, "Uncle, please have someone distribute this money. As for my share, you can send it over later!"

"I understand, Jue-ge'er, but if you have any other ideas, remember to tell your uncle!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a broad smile, Feng Tang couldn't help but burst into laughter after seeing the profit.

Seeing Feng Tang's expression, Zhang Cheng also smiled happily.
Because they only earn money from shipping, but Zhang Cheng is different; he's actually mining!
The Iwami silver mine alone brought him no less than four million taels of silver this year. With the goods from Liaodong on the table, he has lost interest in silver!
After dealing with matters concerning the Liaodong military town, Zhang Cheng went to the backyard.

Seeing that his mother, Jia Liushi, was still awake and seemed to be waiting for him, Zhang Cheng quickly cupped his hands and said, "Mother!"

"Jue-ge'er, you've come. Please sit down. It seems like it's been a long time since we, mother and son, have had such a heart-to-heart talk!"

Giving a nod to Zhang Cheng, Jia Liu smiled.
Stepping forward, Cuizhu placed the pastries on the ground, holding a teacup.

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia Liushi said, "I remember, you and Lord Qin are already engaged, aren't you?"

"That's right, Mother. A date has been set for the wedding of Lord Qin's daughter!"

Zhang Cheng began to explain to Jia Liushi.

"So when do you plan to tell me about your father?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia Liu looked at him with calm in her eyes.
After a long silence, Zhang Cheng said with a bitter expression, "Mother, I..."

"Actually, I already knew when you went to the frontier to join the army that it was impossible for your father not to write back home for three months in a row!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with envy, Jia Liu pursed her lips and said, "But you can't hide it from me, Jue-ge'er!"

"Mother, your health was so poor back then, I was afraid I wouldn't even be able to save you."

Looking at Jia Liushi, Zhang Cheng's face was filled with helplessness.
Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Jia Liushi wiped away her tears and said, "Mother knows you mean well, so after the wedding, please take me to see your father, okay? I miss him and want to talk to him."

"Your son understands, Mother!" Zhang Cheng looked up at Jia Liu Shi, his eyes also filled with confusion.
Because he didn't know if it was right for him to keep this from his mother. Perhaps, as she said, she already knew, but just wanted to hear the truth from her son!

Shortly after Zhang Cheng left, Jia Liu also dismissed Cuizhu.

Alone, gazing at the imperial robes not far away, Lady Jia wiped away her tears and said, "My husband, Jue-ge'er has made something of himself; he's been granted a marquisate."

Inside the Dragon Head Palace, in the back garden

Amidst the profusion of flowers, the retired emperor was pruning the branches.

Seeing the retired emperor acting like a middle-aged man, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Because in the dead of winter, how much silver must the retired emperor spend planting flowers and indulging in his love?
"I have heard that you defeated the Rus' royal family in Almaty?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with curiosity, the Emperor Emeritus asked,

"That's right, Your Majesty. I did indeed defeat the Rus' royal general and even seized his sword."

As he spoke, Zhang Cheng gestured to Dai Quan.

Taking a longsword inlaid with jewels and pearls and handing it to him, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "This is something befitting Your Majesty's status!"

As soon as the Emperor Emeritus received Zhang Cheng's longsword, he immediately drew it from its sheath and said, "Hmm, not bad, I like it very much!"

"This is what I presented to the Emperor Emeritus. If it weren't for your promotion, how could I have served the Great Qian Dynasty!"

Looking intently at the Emperor Emeritus, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"Everyone says you're young and naive, but I think it's good for a young person to be full of vigor! Don't be too mature!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, the Emperor Emeritus gazed at the sword in his hand, his face filled with joy.
He's already this old, he's seen all sorts of rare treasures, but this sword that Zhang Cheng presented is one he really likes!

Because what he wants now is "martial arts".
"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by your humble servant!"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng looked at the Emperor Emeritus and quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"By imperial decree, bestow upon him a dragon robe, and from now on, he need not report when entering the palace!"

After speaking to Dai Quan, the retired emperor left in high spirits, as if he intended to find someone to boast to.
As the Emperor Emeritus left, Dai Quan stepped forward with a smile and said, "Jue-ge'er, you chose a great gift this time. The Emperor Emeritus really likes it!"

"I have to thank Eunuch Dai for this. Otherwise, how would an ordinary person like me know what the Emperor Emeritus likes!"

Speaking to Dai Quan, Zhang Cheng placed the sapphire in his hand into Dai Quan's palm.

With a knowing smile, Dai Quan said to Zhang Cheng, "We're all family, why are you being so polite?"

"Precisely because we're family, we can't be rude, right?"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng looked at Dai Quan, then straightened his robes and walked outside.

Because the imperial dragon robe was not something an ordinary person could wear.
After leaving the Dragon Head Palace, Zhang Cheng headed towards the Imperial Study. He had already given the Emperor Emeritus a gift, so would the Emperor give one as well? Of course he would, otherwise, if he only gave one, who would he be looking down on?
Sometimes, if you give a gift, your boss may not know who you are, but if you don't give a gift, he will definitely know who you are!

(End of this chapter)